RedEnvelope

Full review
I want to thank Bryan_Carey for unknowingly contributing his Bryan_Carey Store Review Template(TM) for my review. Thanks Bryan - it was just too good a format not to use!

I discovered Red Envelope a few years ago, and I can't even tell you how, really. I just know that my first visit sent visions of interesting gifts for my then-girlfriend through my head - and later provided some very happy gift-giving occasions.

Red Envelope is an online-only gift company that covers a number of different categories, including clothing, jewelry, flowers, food and other gift items. Much of what they carry is unique - I haven't found the same items anywhere else - and they provide a plethora of great ideas for the savvy gift giver.

[ • why RED ENVELOPE • ]
Red Envelope offers a variety of gift items to fit any budget and/or occasion. The major categories they offer:

-- What's New - Just what it says, a selection of newly arrived items of all types.

-- bar + wine + cigars - Although they don't sell alcohol on the site, they offer many great bar items such as wine chillers and bottle openers in addition to expensive cigars.

-- bath + body - Bath goods from around the world, from handy book holders to scented candles and lustrous soaps.

-- flowers + plants - Bulbs and living plants and flowers, often in interesting vases or pots.

-- gadgets + tools - Here you find items akin to Brookstone or Sharper Image: shower CD players, electric tie racks and the like.

-- gift baskets - Gift baskets of all types, but focusing on fruit, occasion (baby, wedding) and spa baskets.

-- gifts by the month - Plants and flowers sent monthly to your lucky gift recipient.

-- gourmet foods - Confections, fruits and other gift-type food items.

-- grilling + outdoors - Everything for your grill and the patio/porch around it, including candle holders, flower pots and more.

-- home + garden - Here you can find interesting trinkets for your home, whether an interesting frame or an exotic desk piece.

-- jewelry + accessories - Interesting jewelry and small clothing items abound in this section.

-- men's accessories - Men's version of the above category.

-- sports + games - This section offers both office desk fun and the larger, outdoor variety in high-quality versions.

-- toys + baby gear - This is a newer section, featuring exclusive items for the younger generation.

-- sale shop - Soon to be discontinued or special clearance items mostly, this can be a great place to stock up on gifts for relatives.

[ • methods of PAYMENT • ]

RedEnvelope.com accepts American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover credit cards, as well as ATM cards with a VISA or MasterCard logo. They do not accept cash, checks or CODs.

[ • shipping CHARGES • ]

Red Envelope has somewhat high costs for shipping compared to similar merchants. Standard service will run $7.95 for 5-7 business days; Priority is $15.90 for 2-3 business days; and Rush costs $22.90 to arrive the next business day (when ordered before 11 p.m. ET).

For the By the Month programs, shipping carries a 1-time delivery fee of $22.90 + $9 a month for flowers, and $15.90 + $6 a month for orchids and plants.

Overseas, Alaska and Hawaii orders take an additional day.

[ • customer SERVICE • ]

I've only made one call to Red Envelope Customer Service in the past, and they were very helpful. I was looking for some replacement items for a Japanese Bath Kit I had bought my wife, and since product was no longer offered, I had called to see if there were any more left. The Customer Service Rep was very helpful, took my number and searched to see if she could locate some more. She called back with the bad news, but I appreciated the follow-up.

Should you need to contact them, you can do it through a variety of means: Phone - 1-877-RedEnvelope (1-877-733-3683); email, through a form on the website, or even live chat via their Customer Services page.

Another great feature they have is the Personal Shopper - real-time chat with a live person to help you select a gift that’s available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. I haven’t tried it, but it’s a fantastic idea that is another example of how well this site – and company – are run.

[ • shopping RED ENVELOPE • ]

Red Envelope has come through for me time and again. The gifts they offer are often unique, something that I look for in a world of the same ol', same ol' that is offered on some many other sites.

Navigation through the site is simple – drop down menus offer quick access to any particular occasion, recipient or gift type quickly and easily. The offers can also be narrowed down by any of these categories. For example, if you want a birthday gift for a woman, they offer a selection of great gifts that are perfect for the woman in your life. Ditto if you are looking for a graduation gift for your nephew – they have 'guy-oriented' gifts for the new grad. This sub-selection makes it easy to narrow down what you are looking for.

But what do they have? Well, among the items that I have ordered from their site: the aforementioned Japanese Bath Kit ($30), complete with bamboo kit, bath salts, candles and Japanese bath ladle; a beautiful silver necklace ($50) which had a turquoise stone inlaid in it. Most recently, my choice of a Mother’s Day gift (a set of Lotus Lanterns ($58 for 4), cast iron lotus-shaped candle holders for the new arbor we are building on our back porch) was well-received, particularly because my stepson had ... well, let’s say he might have put a little more effort into Mother’s Day. She liked the candle holders so much that I think it took the edge off a bit – and neither of us can wait to have them up while we are sitting out in the new porch this summer.

But they have much more to choose from, as well. If you are looking for a gift for a friend, choose from great "How the heck are you?" gifts like lucky bamboo in a glass vase or a day spa basket (both $42). Looking more for the man in your life – try a Sonic Measuring Device ($60) that electronically measures length, width, etc with a laser.

Red Envelope also offers some gifts with an adult perspective. If you want to offer your sweetie a romantic gift, Red Envelope has a great selection of ‘romantic events’ items which are classy and fun – like the Steady Sticks ($30) for holding glasses of wine on the beach or the Slightly Naughty Weekend Kit ($62) which offers a variety of fun items (feather tickler, velvet blindfold) for a couple to share.

The gifts at Red Envelope are great because they offer up stuff that is different from the normal fare at most of the online 'gift shops'. Some of the items are a little kitschy but for the most part, they offer a unique selection of fun and interesting gift items for any person you may need to buy for. One small problem is because many of their items are so unique, they can often go out of stock quickly – just because you saw it there one day doesn’t mean you’ll be able to buy it the next. But that’s a minor problem.

The gifts do tend to be a little on the high side – be prepared to pay a little extra for your plants, jewelry or the more unique items on their lists. But in the end, the quality and service you get with the great items they offer is worth it. One additional note – there are ALWAYS specials running on the 'net for discounts and free shipping. Google "Red Envelope Coupons" and you can almost be guaranteed to find a half-dozen offers to help offset the costs of their gift items.

Once I factored in the coupons, I’ve found that the prices are very reasonable for the gifts they have. I’ve had great success with them not only having items in stock, but with getting quicker than expected shipping. I’ve always only used the standard shipping option, but have managed to get my items (including the Lotus Lanterns at about 20 lbs.) in only a couple of days. In fact, they came so quickly, I had to hide them at the office for a week before Mother’s Day!

Overall, RedEnvelope.com has been one of the best gift places I have found online. The items I have bought there have been high quality and well-received by everyone (mainly the wife) who has received them. Shipping has been quick and a successful venture every time – and even my requests for old merchandise were handled expertly. Their site is well laid out and easy to navigate and use, and attractively done to boot. So, if you are looking for something different for a gift, take a look at RedEnvelope.com. They might just save the day for you, too.